Protonix is the trade name for the compound pantoprazole, which is a proton-pump inhibitor. Proton-pump inhibitors are used to treat ulcers and acid reflux because they help prevent the cells in the stomach from making stomach acid. Protonix is considered to be mostly safe for all people to use, including children, but it can cause some side effects.
Gastrointestinal and Liver
The most common side effect of Protonix is headache, which occurs in about 12 percent of patients who take it, according to Rxlist.com.
Most of the other common side effects involve the digestive system. Because this medication affects the body's ability to produce stomach acid, it can cause problems with digestion and lead to diarrhea or constipation. Protonix can also cause dry mouth, nausea and vomiting. These side effects occur in 6 percent to 8 percent of patients who take the medication.
Protonix is metabolized by the liver, so it can cause symptoms as it is processed. Protonix can cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis). Because the liver is involved in processing triglycerides, Protonix can also cause triglyceride levels in the blood to rise. Protonix-related inflammation can also lead to elevated blood levels of proteins that the liver makes, such as creatine kinase and certain liver enzymes. These side effects occur in less than one in 50 patients who take Protonix.
Immunological Side Effects
Protonix can cause problems with the immune system if the body treats it as a potentially pathogenic compound and develops a reaction to it. Signs of a mild reaction include a rash or hives that cause the skin to become red or itchy (urticaria and pruritus).
More severe symptoms include swelling, which may affect the limbs (such as the hands and feet) as well as the face, particularly the eyes, lips and tongue. The swelling may also be more generalized, which means it can occur anywhere. In the worst cases, the airway can swell. This can make it difficult to breathe or swallow and can lead to hoarseness or tightness in the chest. Serious allergic reactions are rare, but any sort of allergy to Protonix can be dangerous. Patients who have an allergy to Protonix should stop taking it immediately and contact their doctor to explore other options.
Systemic Effects
Some side effects of Protonix are a result of the drug circulating throughout the blood, thus affecting many parts of the body. These can include problems making white blood cells and platelets (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia) as well as muscle aches and pains (myalgia). Protonix can cause the skin to become sensitive to light or it can affect the nervous system, leading to blurred vision and headache in addition to vertigo and depression. These side effects all occur in less than one in 50 patients--with the exception of vertigo, which occurred in about 3 percent of all patients in clinical trials.
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